Amusement apparatus



' Oct. 28, 1930.

J. wHeTx-:LEY 1,779,651

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS J. wHxTELEY 1,779,651

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS oct. 28, 1930.

Filed Dec. 24, 1927 @sheets-sheet 2 gih- Oct. 28, 1930.

J. WHITVELEY AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed Dec. 24, 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 oci. 28, 1930.

J. WHITELEY i AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed Deo. 24, 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 hva, mh.

28, 1930'. J. wHlTELEY- 1,779,651

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed Dec. 24, 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 oct. 2, 1930.

J. WHITELEY AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed Dec. 24, 1.927

e sheets-sheet 6 Patented Oct. 2s, l1930 y Musei/@Nr AFPARATS- This invention relates to ran r`amusement a'lilpafratus.v Y. *Y Y.

An object of the invention is to r4provide an amusement apparatusy comprising an end-k 5 less track fhavin'gone'or more -passenger'veL hieles mounted therein, in-combinat'ion With improved means "for y'propelling@the vehicle orvehicles along the traek-,; a'nd means for preventing dera'i'lmentTot-thevehicle or ve- L'I0 hicles. i Y

Y Another object of the invention is to provide an yamusement app ara-tus :comprising an endless track including curved-and eccentric portions, and fone .o'r `more Vpasseng'er vehicles 1 6 mounted on ltlietrack; in combination With-a movable support, driving mechanism mounted on and carried bythe support, andmechanism driven bythe driving mechanism `for propelling the vehicleorvehicles alongthe track, yand also propelling said support so that the driving mechanism `is carried theres by during operation of theapparatus. Y h Anotherobject of theinventionis to providean amusement apparatus comprising one or more passenger velricle's,-.in combi-nation with mechanism Yforiprope'lling kthe vehicles along the track, means .cooperative .Wi-th', the track to impartv lateral -osc-illatory movements to f the vehicles; vand means operated by. 1 the propelling iiiecheinism t'o impart vvertical 'csf "cillaftory movements' to the vehicle seats.Y s

Other objects will appear from the/follow- .ing 'descripti'on, reference being ma'de to; the accompanying' drawingsin which 1.5.3.6 Fig. 1 is a diagramniaticplan view of the stationary traine of the apparatus and thev superimposed; movable fiiramej for operating the passeii'gervcliiclfes.

is :anev enlfargedjplianvre'iv ci a ypo:- tion ci the apparatus show'ving thedrivi-ng -F 31 is ,vertical cross/sectional View of one side of the apparatus. l Fig. bis applfan.vievvof-aipreferredltype cffpassengerl vehicle.

,'rfgi. -51 im Versen.longitudine' @dieser vertical oscillatory movemeiitsto the seat-and therdcvices for preventingderailment ofthe vehicle land limparting lateral ,oscillatory movements tothe vehicle.

Figui' is a'rear endelevatioi di the devices 55 F ig.'v 12 is .a sectionall v'ievvA of thetrack on the line -12-12'0''Fig-11 Y i Y Fig. 13'isl aperspect-ive vievvlof one o fkthefo track .rails supporting elements. 7 f n My improved amusementfapparatuseomprises a cent-ral vertical mast 1 -mountedon azsupport 2. '.Tliennast 1 extendsfthrough a structure 3 rigidponthe supfportand sur- V75.

rounded by a rigid ring 4. :.Fromthe ring e 4 ja number o-arms- 5 extendfradially and have theiry outer ends` supported' "preferably by adj'ustablegsupports. As' shown y(Fig. 3)

the adj ust-able supports comprise a pairottoggle linksv '6 and a cooperating pair ofV toggle links 7, the upper yen'ds ofthetoggle fliniks being pivote'd 'to ;the 'arms 5 and1the lo'yver ends of the togglelinks.beingI pivote'cljto'A a bar S.' A rod -Slihas--o'ne end connectedfto the pivot of the "tog, 2jle"- linksA 6 v argrd extending thi'oi'igh 'the pivot of :theitoggle links Tgand e y having a nut Qascretvjedthereonlfor holding the toggle links in an fad'jus-ted -relationship. Anupright -10 is attached to? the outer-end of each-of thearmsf andfsaid-u `rig-lits support abarrier'll to eXcl'ndethe-public from` the apparatus.; Near their outer" endsthearms 5 are rigidly connectedb'y anumberpfi `me stationary frame :is obtaine' .I approximately annular yfloor is provi-ded 'byr securing floorgboards" 1 6 uponptbejramelements 1.2 and 13, agnd l-,anlvlffrespe' 'revel :Aufentherefrom are provided through the barrier 11. The approximately circular platform or floor to which the public is admitted may be covered by a canopy 19 (Fig. 3) supported in part by the uprights 10 and in part by flexible connections 20 extending to the mast 1. This canopy maybe extended, if desired, to provide an awning 21 over theentrance 17 and the exit 18.

The track upon which the vehiclesarelop-g erated is supportedby therigid frame justk described between the inner and youter' edges of the floor 16. The track comprises va'pair of angular parallel rails; 22* and 2 3 rigidly@y supported abovetlie arms 5 and forming a number of spaced curvedportionsV A .connected by eccentric portions B and forming i i a continuous ltrack around the mast of the (Figs. l1 and 1 2).

apparatus. The horizontal flangesof the rails 22 and 23 extend toward each otherfrom the vertical flanges, which said vertical flanges are secured to laterally extended arms 24 ofbars 25 removably secured. between the two bars ofl which each arm 5 is composed The arms 24 rest upon the upper edges -of the arms 5. VThe bars 25 extend between the two elementsof each f an antifriction bearing 29. l. A number` of arms each comprising a pair of angle bars have their inner ends attached to the hub 28 and extend radially therefrom: The outer ends ofthese arms 30farei connected by anglebars 31 whereby a strong frame is obtained. A baseplate 32 (Fig. 2) is attached to a number of therv arms v30, and the motor 33 of the driving mechanism is mounted on said base plate. The motor 33 drives a shaft 34 (Fig. 10) having bevel gear driving Yconnections 35 with a vertical shaft 36 mounted in a frame 37. A shaftBSfhasLa universal pivot connection 39 with the: shaft' 36 and extends downwardly through' a radial slot 40 in a support 41 (Fig-.8). VThe support 41 is rigid with the rotary.; frame structure 30-31. The shaft 38 is rotative in a block '42 mounted yfor sliding movements 'in the support 41 radially toward and away from the -motor13-3and the mast 1 sojas tol'compensate for any irregularity of the track 27 from concentricity withl the mast 1. A roller 43'isv attached to thelowerfend of the shaft 38 andoperates against the'insideof the ver.-

Y tical flange of the ytrack 27 (Figs. 8 and 10).

A roller 44 is rigid on an axle 45 journaled for rotation in an eccentric bushing 46 mountthe roller 43 ,to grip between them the vertical flange of the track 27 (Figs. 8 and 10). From this Aitjis apparent that when the motor 33 is in operation the rotary frame will be caused to, rotate by the A.effective operation of the roller 43 against the bracket 27 in cooperation with the roller 44. *l 1 f Each vehicle preferably comprises a number of sections connected together in tandem. the front sectionv comprising an enclosure 49 andthe rear sectionvcomprising an enclosure 5() each having aseat 51'for accommodation of the patrons. Each seat has a hinged back 52. The front end of each seat is supported by a link 53 having itsl respective ends pivoted to the seat and to the floor of the section in which the seat' is mou'ntedf The two sections' of eachV vehicle are connected by a Areleasable Vcoupler 54.

Along the under side of the-bottom of each enclosure 49 and 50a supporting plate 55 is attached, and a support for each enclosure is secured to `each of the supporting plates. The support for each enclosure comprises a frame 56 (Figs. 6 and 7)' secured to the corresponding supporting plate and provided on its upper end with a pair of spaced bearings V57 in which an axle 58 isjournaled. On the ends of said axle58 a pair of wheels 59 are mounted, at least one of said wheels beingattached to the axle soythat the axle is rotated by the wheel. The wheels 59 operate on the horizontal flanges of the rails 22 and 23, respectively, thereby supporting the enclosures 49 and 50. A frame 60 is attached tothe rear end'of each seat 51'and to the lower side of each of saidframes a bearingjl is secured. The shaft 58.extends through the bearing 61 and an eccentric 62 is. attached to said shaft in said bearing and is rotated by the shaft. Thus, vduring theftravel of the enclosures, the-respective seats r51 lare Yoscil- -lated vertically, as is obvious (Fig. 6). l

- A vertical axle member 63y is supported by each frame-56, and these` axles extend through the suppo-rtingplates55 and through the corresponding fraines 56. rA wheel 64 is rotative on each axle63v between the horizontal flanges ofthe track rails 22 and 23, so that lateral oscillatory movements Vare imparted to the respective enclosures49 and 50 of the ve-V hicles during rotationbf the rotary frame. Flanges 65 on the wheels 64 extend under the horizontal flanges of the rails 22 and 23 so as to prevent derailmentfof the vehicles.

'For Aeach of the passenger vehicles .-ftw

members of one' oti tliearms BO oftherotary" framev extend to connection withagconnectalong the trackl formed .by the railsv 22 and 23, and that lateral oscillatory l movements are imparted to the different enclosures of the respective vehiclesp and vertical oscillatory movements are imparted tothe rear ends Y of the seats within the enclosures, 'all'. without possibility of derailments of the vehicles.

Further support to the rotary frame and the driving connections is obtained by mounting a wheel 68 between depending arms 69 at the rear end of thesupport 41 (Fig. 9).

This .wheel 68 operates on tliehorizontalv flange of the track 27. Y

i To enhance the unique attractiveness of the apparatus, each vehicle maybe construct?v ed in simulation of some animal. VFor this purpose, a head 7 O may be mounted for lateral swinging movements on'a vertical pivot '71 at the forward end of the front enclosure of each vehicle, and these heads may have il- 'luminated eyes 7 2. Similarly, a tail73 may.

be mounted for lateral swinging movements at the rear end of` each rear enclosure by means of vertical pivots 74. Y The outer portion of the rotary frame sup# ports a wall or barrier 7 5 at the inner portion ofthe floor 16 to exclude the public from the central part of the apparatus, whereinthe operating mechanism is mounted.

From theV .foregoing it will be apparent that I have provided an amusement apparatus j ofunique and distinctive constructioncom-` prising passenger vehicles, the occupied parts of which are given lateral and vertical oscillatory movements as an incident'to operation of the device; and, that the machine may 'be operated without possibility of derailmentiof the vehicles and easily disassembled for transportation purposes. The construction and ar` rangement of the various parts may be Vvaried within equivalent limits without departurer from the nature and principle of the invention.

I do not restrict myself unessentially,but

vwhat I claim and -desi're'to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An amusementY apparatus comprising a rigid frame, an eccentric endless track rigid on said frame, a truck, a pair of wheels mounted on said trackand supporting said truck, a vehicle havingone end supported by said truck,` means supporting the opposite end ofl said vehicle, and a wheel supported by said truck., between said pair of kwheels and cooperating .with said "track to guide truck along said track` and-.prevent said pairo'f wheels: from leaving said track.-

2.- Anyamuse'ment apparatus comprising a rigid trame', an eccentric'endless track rigidy on saidirfraine, a; truck', afpair of wheels v'mounted' on said-track and supporting saidv truck, la vvie'li'icjle having Vone endy supported' by saidtruclr, means supporting the oppositeendfloffsaid vehicle',.a wheel supported by saidtruck between's'aid pair Yor wheelsland cooperating wiithsaid track vto-'guide"said" truckalongsaidtraok and.preventsaidpair or'' wheels' fromlea'ving said track, fand mechanism for propelling said vehicle.

SEIAn' amusement'apparatus comprisingV a rigid 1frame',ijspaced 'rails forming `an crecen.,

trici endlesstrackv on said.- frame, rotary' frame above! said rigidfA frame, mechanisml brrotating vsaid rotary frame, a-pair of spaced truclrspwheels'operating fon said rails" .andi supportingl said trucl'sga vehiclef supportedfby`l saidtrucks, an additional wheelfy supported by each or said trucks and c-o'v operating with said rails to limit both lat! eral J- and .l upward' movements of said truclis andip'revent said first named wheels from l'eaving'said rails, andS afy connection p orfop-er1 ating "said vehicle 'by said rotary fra-me.

' "43. v'An `ainiisenient apparatuslcompmsinga!v rigidfr-ame', spaced rails'fforinin'gf an -eccefnftrio endless A tra'olrf on' said; v traine, Vrotaryv` frame above said' rigidV frame, mechanism.- for" rotatlng'said rotary frame, -a' pairof ooi spaced. trucks, wheels 'operatingon--said railsv and supportingV said trucks, 'a vehicle sup# por-ted said trucks an additional lwheel supported lby eachv ofsaid trucks'and cooper.-

prevent saidfir'st' named wheels fromgleaving4 said rails,V a connection :for operating said vehicle by said rotary'gframe, and;

means for raising'and lowering the ends of `ating with said rail'stoilimit bothflateral:

and upward finovementsot .said trucks p and:

saidfve'hicle automatically andasan incident to the movement of said vehicle along said tracks.

1 "g5, An' amusement apparatus comprising.'a

rigid frame',-v spacedy rails'forminganv Ve'c- I centric endlessV trackf on saidl frame, sa; rotary frame.' above said?, rigid: trame, Vmechanism for rotating sai'drotary frame, a' Vpair,` ofk spaced trucks,j wheels ope'rat'ii'iggonE 'said f rails and supporting! said trucks, avehiclesup' ported by said trucks, an addition'alf`wheel; supported by) each of* said; trucks"` and" co-V operating with said^`railsf? to limit both lat# eralj and' u-pward mo'i'feinents'V ol saidl trucks' andlpreventin'gifsaid first name d Wheelsjfrom leaving said-rails, a connectionfo'roperate? ingfsaid: vehiclelby 'said-rotary. frame, and

ian'.

headifand "tail, elements lpivoted tot the'. front and? rearf. ends r resperti'vfely,`z of said. vehicle for."lateral!z swinging f inovenientsijr 621 -aniuseinentapp aratusaconprisingl at centrali mast, vfnalsforxiniitgr an-endlessetraek' around said mast, a rotary framemounted for rotation about said mast, a track located` approximately concentrically about f saidy mast mechanism mounted on sai'dgrotaryV frame and cooperating With said concentric;

'track to rotate said'rotary raiiieabout said n mast, a vehicle connected withl said rotary rame trucks for supporting vsaidvehicle, Wheels supporting a said trucks and operating;

-on said rails, and an additional Wheel'ini connection with each of said trucks cooper,-

ratingwith said rails tor limitupward fand;` i

Y lateral movements of' said i'irst named Wheels and1prevent said first with respect tofsaid-rails.; Y f

7. Anl amusement apparatus comprising a 'A central mast, rails forming Ian endless" track around said mast, z'tfrotarv frame mounted for rotation about saidmast,r a track located approximately concentrically'about said mast, inechanisii'imounted-on` said rot-ary, frame and cooperating with said concentric track to rotate said rotary frame about said mast, a'veliicle; connectedwith said rotary, frame, trucks for supporting said vehicle,

4,Wheels supporting said trucks and operatingfr on said rails, an additional Wheel inconnection Witheacli of said trucks cooperating` with said rails to limit Vupward and lateral.VA movements of said first named-Wheels with' respect to said rails, and a device in eachof movements to said vehicle. v 8. An amusement apparatus. comprising a rigid frame,v a pair of vspaced rails rigid on said trucks for impartingfvertical oscillatoryV said vframe andl forming" an eccentric" endless track, a truck,-a pair Yof spaced Wheels mounted on said rails andsupporting` said. truck? a vehicl'e ,having oneend supported-f by-said `truck,` meansvsupporting the oppo-. sitecnd of saidvehicle, and anfadditioiial WheelsupliiortedV by-said truckl between andv ooperatingl With' said lrails to lguide saidv truck` along the track formed by said railsl leaving said`rails.

9. An amusement apparatus (",oiriprisinga rigid frame, a :pair or" spaced; rails :rigid on said frame and forming aneceentric endl0.' An amusement apparatus comprising ai -rigid t'ianie7 a pair. of spaced rails rifgid on' said frame and `ormi'ngian eccentric endless track, a truck,A a pair ctw-heels mounted oli the track formed'vrby vsaid rails and supporting saidv truck, ai vehicle .p havi'iigonel end pair of. Wheels from supported by said truck,

of .'Wlieels, a Wheel `*supported Aby said'y frame between and cooperating Witli'said rails toV guideA said truckialongsaid track and preventsaid pair off-'Wheelsfrom leaving said track,- andniechanisinfor propelling said vehicle. Y fI f Y Y .'JAMESVHITELEY.

meanssupporting the opposite `end of said vehicle, a frame supported by .said truckbetvveen said 'pairk lUt 

